WWF and IKEA Partnership on responsible forestry in China
Great potential, great threats
In China, where there is a long history, large population and recurrent natural disasters, forests are of special importance - both for economic development and environmental services.
However, most of China's natural forests have been converted into low quality forests as a result of over-utilisation. This has led to serious biodiversity loss, soil erosion, frequent flooding, decrease of natural forest area, and shortage of forest products. There is also an increasing deficit in the wood China uses to meet its domestic needs and demands from the export industry.Consequently, China's timber imports from other countries are rising rapidly, particularly that from the Russian Far East.
The WWF and IKEA Co-operation on Forest Projects work on two fronts in China:
- helping to ensure that the country's remaining forests are protected for future generations;
- promoting responsible wood imports.
Therefore, efforts are also spent on promoting and explaining the HCVF concept. Already, the Jilin Forestry Department have committed to identify and manage HCVFs in Jilin Province. Also, for the first time the Chinese Government will use the HCVF approach in its 11th five-year plan from 2006-2010.
High Conservation Value Forests in Northeast China
Using the High Conservation Value Forests (HCVF) approach, forests that are important economically, socially and culturally are identified for conservation. Support from industry and authorities is crucial towards this end.
Therefore, efforts are also spent on promoting and explaining the HCVF concept. Already, the Jilin Forestry Department have committed to identify and manage HCVFs in Jilin Province. Also, for the first time the Chinese Government will use the HCVF approach in its 11th five-year plan from 2006-2010.
Responsible wood purchasing
Responsible companies, international organisations and other NGOs are urged to jointly promote better compliance with legislation and with tracing the source of their wood in countries that supply timber to China. This applies particularly to wood from Russia.
A toolkit/manual is being produced to provide guidance on how responsible companies ensure the wood products they buy in China comes from legal sources.
Information is the key
As in the other countries where joint WWF and IKEA forest projects take place, there is also great demand in China for information and knowledge on sustainable forest management and forest certification. To meet this demand, support is provided to sharing information and educating staff of local governments and forestry bureaus.
Progress made
Efforts are paying off, particularly in the area of responsible wood purchasing. So far, many companies have received Chain-Of-Custody certification - meaning that these companies can claim their timber and other forest-related products come from an FSC-certified forest.
For the latest information and news regarding certification and responsible wood sourcing in China, visit WWF's Global Forest and Trade Network China Portal.
Using the High Conservation Value Forests (HCVF) approach, forests that are important economically, socially and culturally are identified for conservation. Support from industry and authorities is crucial towards this end.
Therefore, efforts are also spent on promoting and explaining the HCVF concept. Already, the Jilin Forestry Department have committed to identify and manage HCVFs in Jilin Province. Also, for the first time the Chinese Government will use the HCVF approach in its 11th five-year plan from 2006-2010.
Responsible wood purchasing
Responsible companies, international organisations and other NGOs are urged to jointly promote better compliance with legislation and with tracing the source of their wood in countries that supply timber to China. This applies particularly to wood from Russia.
A toolkit/manual is being produced to provide guidance on how responsible companies ensure the wood products they buy in China comes from legal sources.
Information is the key
As in the other countries where joint WWF and IKEA forest projects take place, there is also great demand in China for information and knowledge on sustainable forest management and forest certification. To meet this demand, support is provided to sharing information and educating staff of local governments and forestry bureaus.
Progress made
Efforts are paying off, particularly in the area of responsible wood purchasing. So far, many companies have received Chain-Of-Custody certification - meaning that these companies can claim their timber and other forest-related products come from an FSC-certified forest.
For the latest information and news regarding certification and responsible wood sourcing in China, visit WWF's Global Forest and Trade Network China Portal.
